DE202014103655U1 - Protective cover for a lens or eyepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective cover (10) for releasable attachment to a front end of an objective or eyepiece housing (60) of an optical device to cover the lens or eyepiece when not in use, comprising: an end wall (12) for covering the outer optical elements of the lens or eyepiece and a centering ring (30) for radially centering the protective cover (10) at the front end of the lens or Okulargehäuses (60), a first clamping piece (18 a) which is biased radially outwards, wherein the first clamping piece (18 a) on the Lens or eyepiece facing away from the end wall (12) comprises a first handle (15a), wherein the first clamping piece (18a) via a first elastic wall portion (22a) integral with the end wall (12) is connected, and wherein the first handle (15a ) for manually radially moving the first clamping piece (18a) under elastic deformation of the first elastic wall portion (22a) to form the protective dec (10) on the one hand when placed on the lens or eyepiece housing (60) by releasing the first handle (15a) by means of the outwardly biased first clamping piece (18a) clamped to an inner edge of the front end of the lens or eyepiece (60) on the other hand, to release the clamping of the first clamping piece on the lens or eyepiece (60) by manual operation of the first handle (15a) against the bias and remove the protective cover (10) of the lens or eyepiece (60).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a protective cover for repeated releasable attachment to a front end of a lens or Okulargehäuses an optical device to cover the lens or eyepiece when not in use and an optical device with at least one lens and / or an eyepiece, which with such a protective cover solvable are covered.

Background of the invention

Lenses or eyepieces of optical devices are typically covered by the user with a protective cap when the optical device is not being used to connect the optical elements, e.g. to protect against dust or scratching. Relevant this is e.g. for camera lenses or the lenses and eyepieces of (binocular) binoculars, riflescopes and spotting scopes.

For binoculars exist simple caps in the form of trough-like cylindrical hoods, which are placed over the lenses or eyepieces and frictionally seated on the entire circumference of the outer edge of the lens or eyepiece. While such hoods are inexpensive and easy to manufacture, they are disadvantageous in that the placement and removal can be cumbersome. Such hoods can sit quite tight, so that losing weight is sometimes difficult. It may even be necessary to use fingernails to remove the caps, especially if they are pressed wide and tight.

For camera lenses such simple hoods are little used because the operation is ergonomically not appealing. Especially in hunting is another disadvantage that when putting on and pulling off, especially when the hood is firmly seated, increased anxiety may arise. In addition, scratching or friction noises may be generated, which may alarm the animals to be hunted.

From the EP 2 163 947 B1 is known a protective cap, the cap jacket seems to adhere to frictionally engaged on the entire circumference of both the outer and the inner edge of the lens or Okulargehäuses, which may have the disadvantages described above result. Furthermore, this protective cap comprises a layer made of a hard material such as plastic, metal, metal alloys, wood or a wood-like material, glass or ceramic and seems to be complicated to manufacture and costly and ergonomically to be improved.

Lens covers are often used for camera lenses, which have two radial clamping slide, which can be pushed together by means of a handle recess with two fingers. Such lens caps are sometimes referred to as lens cap with internal handle and are found, for example. at www.nikon.de in various sizes with the designation "Lens cover LC-52" to "Lens cover LC-77". Similar lens caps in various sizes can also be found at www.enjoyyourcamera.com labeled "Quenox Snap-On Lens Cap with Inner Grip". These lens caps are usually made of hard plastic and the separate radial clamping slide are mounted radially displaceable with a tongue and groove linear guide and are spring-loaded by means of a metallic coil spring. These lens caps have the disadvantage that they consist of several separate mechanical parts and possibly mounted by hand. Furthermore, the metal springs may become fatigued or oxidized, and the hard plastic parts may break. Furthermore, during operation, possibly even when touching, e.g. with fingernails, rings etc. noises, e.g. Rattling, squeaking or scratching sounds occur. Furthermore, these lens caps may provide insufficient protection against dust and moisture, and may be e.g. even jump off at lateral pressure.

General description of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a protective cover for a lens or eyepiece, which can be easily manually placed and removed again while ergonomically and haptically responsive to use, has a sufficiently secure grip on the lens or eyepiece and easy and is inexpensive to produce.

Another aspect of the object is to provide a protective cover for a lens or eyepiece, which is well suited for hunting, even for (binocular) binoculars, spotting scopes and riflescopes and low noise, especially when removing and putting unfolds.

Another aspect of the object is to provide a protective cover for a lens or eyepiece, which offers good protection against environmental influences, in particular against dust and moisture in outdoor use.

The object of the invention is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a protective cover for repeatedly releasably attaching to an annular front end of an objective or eyepiece housing of an optical device is provided to cover the lens or eyepiece when not in use by the user. For this purpose, the protective cover comprises a substantially planar end wall or base wall for covering the outer optical elements of the objective or eyepiece and a peripheral centering ring. In particular, the peripheral centering ring protrudes from the side of the end wall facing the objective or eyepiece. The term centering ring is not intended to exclude that it is partially interrupted and comprises a plurality of circumferentially separated projections which form the Zentrierkranz. By means of the peripheral centering of the protective cover is radially centered at the front end of the lens or Okulargehäuses or radially prefixed, in which the Zentrierkranz engages in the inner region of the front end of the objective or Okulargehäuses and thereby the protective cover on the annular inner wall of the lens or Okulargehäuses centered or radially prefixed.

The protective cover comprises at least a first radial clamping piece, which is biased radially outwards. The first clamping piece comprises on the side facing away from the lens or eyepiece side of the end wall, a first handle, which is actuated by a finger of the user and movable radially inwardly against the bias. The first clamping piece is integrally connected via a first elastic wall portion but elastically movable with the end wall. Due to the integral connection of the first clamping piece with the end wall via the first elastic wall section, the first elastic wall section, which consists of elastic material, acts as an integral leaf spring. The first handle is thus formed for manual or manual radial movement of the first clamping piece radially inwardly, wherein deformed when moving the first clamping piece radially inwardly the first elastic wall portion elastically against its own bias to the protective cover on the one hand when placed on the lens or eyepiece housing by releasing the first handle to clampingly attach to an inner edge of the front end of the lens or eyepiece, wherein the elastic wall portion due to its bias, the first clamp moves radially outward until it comes to rest on the inner edge of the lens or Okulargehäuses and on the other hand to release the clamping of the first clamping piece on the lens or ocular housing by manual actuation of the first handle and movement radially inward against the bias of the elastic wall portion and the protective cover of the lens or Okul to be able to remove the housing.

The clamping of the first clamping piece on the inner edge of the objective or eyepiece housing can be frictional or positive. In particular, camera lenses have on the inside of the front end of the lens housing usually a standardized fine internal thread, for example. for filters or diaphragms, in whose threads and / or undercuts the clamping piece can engage more or less positively.

The protective cover can therefore be used in particular for camera lenses, but also for lenses or eyepieces, e.g. of (binocular) binoculars, spotting scopes and riflescopes.

The protective cover is ergonomically easy to use in an advantageous manner and can be easily and quietly put on and take off again. By a one-piece or integral design of the preferably entire protective cover this is easy and inexpensive to produce. Further, by employing an integral elastic leaf spring in the form of the elastic integral wall portion, gaps between separate parts such as the hard plastic lens caps described above can be avoided, so that improved dust and moisture proofing can be achieved. Further, unwanted noise, such as crunching or squeaking when rubbing various parts against each other and rattling can be avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protective cover has a mirror-symmetrically opposite to the first clamping piece radially opposite second clamping piece, which is biased opposite to the first clamping piece radially outward. The second clamping piece comprises on the side facing away from the lens or eyepiece side of the end wall a first handle radially opposite second handle and the second clamping piece is also integrally connected via a second elastic wall portion, but elastically movable integrally connected to the end wall.

The first and second handles are adapted for manual or manual radial compression or compression with elastic deformation of the first and second elastic wall portions against the respective bias. This allows the protective cover on the one hand when mounting on the lens or eyepiece by releasing the first and second handle by means of the outwardly biased first and second clamping piece clamping optionally form-fitting at opposite locations of the inner edge of the front end of the objective or eyepiece be attached in that the first and second clamping pieces are characterized by the clamping pieces prestressed by the first and second integral elastic wall sections be moved to the outside. On the other hand, the clamping of the first and second clamping piece on the lens or eyepiece housing by manually compressing the first and second handle radially inward by means of two fingers against the bias of the respective elastic wall portion bias can be solved to the protective cover of the lens or To be able to remove the eyepiece housing again. In other words, the protective cover is preferably constructed mirror-symmetrically in a plane extending between the two clamping pieces and perpendicular to the optical axis or perpendicular to the end wall. Preferably, the clamping pieces are substantially circular sector-shaped, but they do not extend to the center of the circle. One could therefore speak of a circular sector form with a blunt tip. Typically, the two grips are pressed together with forefinger and thumb, the protective cover can be held at the same time with the index finger and thumb in order to remove it safely safely with one hand and put on. Suitably, the necessary force for actuating the clamping pieces is set approximately between 1 N and 10 N.

Preferably, the first and / or second elastic wall portion are made of an elastomer or consist of an elastomer. The elastomer may be natural or synthetic, e.g. a rubber or rubber material. In particular, the end wall, the centering ring, the first and / or second clamping piece and / or the first and / or second elastic wall portion are integrally formed of an elastic material, e.g. made of an elastomer. In particular, the entire protective cover consists of one, preferably one and the same elastic material, or elastomer. In other words, the end wall, the centering ring, the first and / or second clamping piece and / or the first and / or second elastic wall portion are made entirely in one piece from one and the same elastomer. Preferred elastomers are nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a blend of nitrile butadiene rubber and polyvinyl chloride (NBR-PVC blend), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), silicone, thermoplastic elastomers or polyurethane (PUR). In particular, when rubber is used as elastomeric material, the hardness of the vulcanized rubber in the production tool can be adjusted partially differently due to partially different production conditions. This can e.g. be achieved by locally different temperatures or a locally different exposure time of the vulcanization temperature (typically 150-170 ° C). Preferably, therefore, the elastomeric material at different points of the protective cover to different hardnesses, in particular different Shore hardnesses. For example, For example, it may be advantageous to make the central inner region of the end wall of the same material as the elastic wall sections, but to set the Shore hardness of the material in the central inner region of the end wall to be larger (harder) than the Shore hardness of the same material of the elastic wall sections. As a result, on the one hand the rigidity of the protective cover or the end wall sufficiently large and the rigidity of the elastic wall sections can be set sufficiently small and on the other hand, the protective cover is still easy and inexpensive to produce.

The entire protective cover therefore consists of a uniform elastic, in particular elastomeric material. The end wall is preferably made only one layer of only a single material. As a result, the protective cover is particularly simple and inexpensive to produce. It also avoids the use of a collection of separate hard plastic parts which can rattle and break. Basically, the protective cover is quietly placed and removable and has in contact including touching the front wall, and actuation of the clamping pieces only a low noise. The one-piece or integral construction of elastic material also undesirable penetration of dust or moisture can be reduced. It can e.g. a tightness of the protective cover can be achieved, which corresponds to the IP protection class IP67.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second clamping piece on its radial outer side on a preferably arcuate, radially projecting first and second locking lug, which extends radially beyond the Zentrierkranz addition. Preferably, the first and / or second latching nose extends radially outwards from the centering ring and engages, if necessary, in a form-fitting manner in a complementary groove in the inner edge of the frontal end of the objective or eyepiece housing, e.g. in a thread of an internal thread of the lens or Okulargehäuses when the protective cover is attached to the lens or Okulargehäuse. As a result, a total of secure attachment can be achieved. Preferably, the first and second locking lugs are made of one or the same elastic or elastomeric material as the rest of the protective cover, which has the advantage that the secure hold on the lens or eyepiece housing can be improved and the noise during clamping and releasing the clamp is low.

Preferably, the first and / or second handle comprises a first and second recessed grip in a peripheral region of the end wall. The user engages in each case with one finger in the recessed grip, presses the two clamping pieces radially opposed to each other and at the same time hold the protective cover with at least two fingers. In other words, the protective cover is preferably a protective cover with a so-called inner handle. Thus, in a synergistic way, the advantages of a protective cover with inner handle with two clamping pieces with recessed grip, in particular its ergonomics can be maintained and still reduces the noise and the protective effect can be improved. If the recessed grips also consist of the elastic or elastomeric material, moreover, a good tactile grip feeling results and, in particular, it is avoided that the user's fingernails in the recessed grip produce unwanted noises. Further, the grip of the protective cover is improved, so that the risk is reduced that the protective cover falls down. Furthermore, the life can be increased because less individual moving parts are present and can be dispensed in particular on metallic coil springs.

In order to achieve a sufficient stability of the end wall, additional measures are preferably provided. Unlike in EP 2 163 947 B1 However, the end wall is preferably not multi-layered with a layer of a hard material, but in one piece or only one layer made of a single elastic material. The elastic material of which the end wall, the elastic wall sections and / or the remaining sections of the protective cover consist preferably has a Shore hardness according to test method Shore A between 50 and 100. Preferably, the material of the elastic wall sections has a Shore hardness according to test method Shore A between 40 and 60, particularly preferably in the range of 50. The material of the end wall and / or the remaining portions of the protective cover except the elastic wall sections preferably has a Shore hardness according to test method Shore A between 80 and 100, particularly preferably in the range of 100.

In order to achieve sufficient stability, the end wall, preferably on its side facing the lens or eyepiece, be reinforced with stiffening ribs to stiffen the end wall. The stiffening ribs consist in particular of the same material or elastomer as the rest of the end wall. In other words, the flat part of the end wall and the stiffening ribs are integrally or integrally made of one and the same material. This achieves multiple benefits. On the one hand, the stiffness of the protective cover or the end wall can be adjusted as desired and sufficiently large and on the other hand, the protective cover is still easy and inexpensive to produce.

The protective cover according to the invention may e.g. be produced by means of an injection molding process.

If the stiffening ribs form a three-dimensional structure, for example a honeycomb structure, a further advantage for increased stiffness and simple manufacturability can also be achieved, namely a relatively low weight.

The first and / or second recessed grip preferably each comprises a recess bottom extending parallel to the end wall and peripheral walls extending axially away from the recess base or from the objective or eyepiece. The one axially extending from the trough bottom wall, which limits the respective recessed grip radially inwardly, forms a finger pressure wall, against which the user presses and moves the respective clamping piece radially inwardly by means of a finger. Preferably, the recessed grips are formed on the whole flat with rounded inner edges and inner corners, whereby a low height and comfortable operation can be achieved. Preferably, in each case runs between the finger pressure wall and the associated elastic wall portion, a groove which is compressed and reduced in the radial compression of the first and / or second clamping piece against the bias voltage. Further preferably, the first and / or second elastic wall portion is formed in cross-section substantially L-shaped and connects the trough bottom elastically with the end wall. The groove thus extends between the finger pressure wall and the elastic wall portion and has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Thereby, an advantageous relationship between the spring force of the elastic wall portion and the rigidity of other portions of the protective cover can be achieved. The U-shaped cross-section of the grooves becomes narrower as the user pushes the two clamping pieces towards each other.

According to a preferred embodiment, the finger pressure walls and / or the grooves are arc-shaped in a plane parallel to the end wall, and the curvature of the arcs is in each case opposite to the outer circular periphery of the protective cover. Thereby, a desired elasticity of the elastic wall portion can be adjusted.

The end wall preferably comprises an outer ring edge which extends in a plane parallel to the end wall and which extends at least partially radially outside the centering ring. The arcuate groove between the finger pressure wall and the elastic wall portion is toward the outer edge of the protective cover of the bounded outer ring edge and does not extend into the outer edge of the ring. This ensures a good seal of the centering ring and the outer ring edge at the front end of the lens or eyepiece. The outer ring edge is also preferably integral with the rest of the protective cover made of the elastomer, so that in this regard, too, provided for low noise.

The outer ring edge extending in a plane parallel to the end wall forms, in particular, the radial outer boundary of the protective cover and preferably ends with the objective or eyepiece housing. The centering ring and the outer ring edge preferably form an L-shape in cross-section. The protective cover or the outer edge of the ring thus embrace the front end of the lens or Okulargehäuses on the outer circumference not or at least not essential, which advantageously facilitates the placement and removal of the protective cover, as this only on the inner circumference of the front end of the lens - Or eyepiece, but not in addition to the outer periphery comes to rest or jammed.

The protective cover according to the invention can be used in particular for camera lenses or remote-optical devices, such as (Binocular) binoculars, spotting scopes or riflescopes are used with at least one lens and possibly an eyepiece, wherein on the lens and / or the eyepiece each a protective cover according to the invention is releasably attached to the outer optical elements of the lens and / or eyepiece for protection cover.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the figures, wherein the same and similar elements are partially provided with the same reference numerals and the features of the various embodiments can be combined.

Brief description of the figures

Show it:

1 A front view of a protective cover according to the invention from the side facing away from the objective or eyepiece (front side),

2 a rear view of the protective cover 1 from the side facing the lens or the eyepiece (back),

3 a perspective view of the front of the protective cover 1 .

4 a perspective view of the back of the protective cover 1 .

5 a side view of the protective cover 1 .

6 a sectional view of the protective cover 1 along the line 6-6,

7 a sectional view accordingly 6 the protective cover in the clamping state, in which the protective cover is attached to the lens or Okulargehäuse,

8th an enlarged view of the detail 9 in 7 in the released state, in which the protective cover of the lens or eyepiece housing is placed and removed,

9 an enlarged view of the detail 9 in 7 with a schematically superimposed representation of the clamping state and the tensioned or dissolved state.

Detailed description of the invention

The 1 and 3 show an embodiment of the protective cover according to the invention 10 which integrally consists entirely of an elastomer, in this example in one piece completely of nitrile butadiene rubber. The protective cover 10 has a substantially flat end wall 12 on, which are integral with an outer ring edge 14 is formed and is limited by this circular outward. For putting on the protective cover 10 on the front end of a lens or eyepiece, the user grips the grips with two fingers, typically with thumb and forefinger 15a . 15b and thus presses the clamping pieces 18a . 18b radially inward towards the center 20 the protective cover together. The middle-point 20 coincides with the optical axis of the lens or eyepiece when the protective cover is placed on the lens or eyepiece housing.

The clamping pieces 18a . 18b are over elastic wall sections 22a . 22b with the interior 24 the front wall 12 integrally connected elastically. If the user uses two fingers, typically with thumb and forefinger, the grips 15a . 15b grabs and these towards the center 20 compressed radially inwardly, deform the elastic wall sections 22a . 22b , against its bias, so that the clamping pieces 18a . 18b move it slightly inwards, typically by about a millimeter or a few millimeters.

The grips 15a . 15b each include a recessed grip 16a . 16b , each one a trough bottom 26a . 26b which in the Is substantially flat and parallel to the end wall 12 extends. All around the trough bottom 26a . 26b become the recessed grips 16a . 16b bounded by side walls, so that a trough-like shape of the recessed grips 16a . 16b arises. The grips 15a . 15b therefore include finger pressure walls 28a . 28b for compressing with the fingers formed by the radially inner side walls, over which the radially opposing inward force against the bias of the resilient wall portions 22a . 22b on the clamping pieces 18a . 18b is transmitted. The elastic wall sections 22a . 22b thus form integral leaf springs made of the elastomeric material.

Referring to the 2 and 4 has the central interior 24 the front wall 12 a butterfly-like shape and is at the, the lens or the eyepiece facing back 10b the protective cover 10 , inside a centering ring 30 , with stiffening ribs 32 strengthened. The stiffening ribs 32 form a three-dimensional, in this example honeycomb-shaped structure.

The centering ring 30 jumps out of the lens or the eyepiece facing back 10b the protective cover 10 annular, but not at the very edge 34 the protective cover 10 , The protective cover 10 still has the integral outer ring edge 14 on, which is designed to rest against the axial end face of the objective or eyepiece housing and which is substantially planar. The backsides 38a . 38b the clamping pieces 18a . 18b are essentially flat and lace with the stiffening ribs 32 reinforced interior 24 the front wall 12 on two opposite sides. At the radially outer edge of the clamping pieces 18a . 18b are integral arc-shaped locking lugs 40a . 40b arranged, which in a predetermined sector angle radially outward from the Zentrierkranz 30 projecting to be clamped with the inner circumference of the front end of the lens or eyepiece and, if necessary, to lock positively. The sector angle α of the arcuate locking lugs 40a . 40b is preferably 30 ° to 70 °, in this example about α = 50 °. The sector angle β of the clamping pieces 18a . 18b is preferably 30 ° to 90 °, in this example about β = 70 °.

The locking noses 40a . 40b jump radially out of the centering ring 30 in front. If the user by radial compression of the clamping pieces 18a . 18b inside the arcuate locking lugs 40a . 40b moved radially inward, the clamping or locking can be solved on the lens or eyepiece.

The 5 and 6 show a side view and a cross section through the protective cover 10 wherein the first and second clamping pieces 18a . 18b are formed mirror-symmetrically identical.

7 shows the protective cover 10 in the relaxed normal state, in which the first and second arcuate locking lug 40a . 40b the protective cover 10 in an underdog 62 of the lens housing 60 latched to the protective cover on the lens housing 60 clamped to secure.

8th shows the protective cover 10 in the tensioned released state in which the first and second clamping pieces 18a . 18b pushed radially inward to the first and second arcuate locking lug 40a . 40b from the catch in the undercut 62 of the lens housing 60 release. In this condition, the protective cover 10 from the lens housing 60 be removed.

9 shows the designated N normal relaxed state or clamping state and the tensioned or dissolved state for mounting and loosening the protective cover 10 , which is denoted by S in a superimposed representation.

The recessed grips 16a . 16b each have a substantially flat trough bottom 26a . 26b on and are at their radially inner sides by the respective finger pressure wall 28a . 28b limited. The finger print walls 28a . 28b extend perpendicular to the respective trough bottom 26a . 26b in the direction of the lens or eyepiece facing away from the front 10a the protective cover 10 , The finger print walls 28a . 28b have at their free end one in the direction of the recessed grip 16a . 16b or radially outwardly facing bead 42a . 42b on, which when gripping and holding the protective cover 10 helpful. The direction of the application of force to the respective clamping piece 18a . 18b over the respective finger pressure wall 28a . 28b is symbolized by the arrow F.

The clamping pieces 18a . 18b , more precisely, the respective trough bottom 26a . 26b , go continuously in one piece into the respective elastic wall section 22a . 22b above. The elastic wall sections 22a . 22b extend from the point at which the respective trough bottom 26a . 26b on the associated finger print wall 28a . 28b meets, in cross-section L-shaped first radially inward and then axially to the end wall 12 and go there at a substantially vertical angle (preferably 90 ° ± 10 °) in one piece in the end wall 12 above. Thus, the finger pressure walls formed integrally from the elastomeric material form 28a . 28b and the associated elastic wall portion 22a . 22b together each have a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Between the finger print walls 28a . 28b and along the optical axis or perpendicular to the plane of the end wall 12 extending axial legs 48a . 48b the respective elastic wall portion 22a . 22b is thus each a groove 54a . 54b educated. The elastic wall sections 22a . 22b Thus, each in one piece from the parallel to the finger pressure wall 28a . 28b extending thighs 48a . 48b , one to the trough bottom 26a . 26b adjoining floor section 50a . 50b and one the sections 48a and 50a respectively. 48b and 50b connecting bow section 52a . 52b educated. The grooves 54a . 54b have a depth from the front 10a the protective cover 10 approximately to the respective trough bottom 26a . 26b enough. Referring to the in 6 illustrated embodiment, the bottom sections 50a . 50b here a smaller thickness than the well bottoms 26a . 26b on, leaving the grooves 54a . 54b in the illustrated embodiment, a little deeper than the well bottoms 26a . 26b ,

If the user has the finger print walls 28a . 28b acted upon radially inwardly in the opposite direction of force F with force, the elastic wall sections deform 22a . 22b contrary to their bias to the effect that the legs 48a . 48b towards the center 20 the protective cover 10 bend and the bow sections 52a . 52b reduce their radius of curvature. By doing that, the entire protective cover 10 Although one piece is made of one and the same elastomeric material, this can indeed deform at other locations, but the elasticity of the individual sections over the respective wall thicknesses is adjusted so that the essential part of the deformation of the elastic wall sections 22a . 22b takes place. To the arcuate locking lugs 40a . 40b from the underdog 62 to solve that is between the finger pressure walls 28a . 28b and the associated elastic wall sections 22a . 22b formed groove 54a . 54b radially compressed by preferably 10% to 30%.

The floor sections 50a . 50b and the bow sections 52a . 52b in particular have a slightly smaller wall thickness than the legs 48a . 48b on, and preferably the thighs are tapered 48a . 48b from the front 10a in the direction of the respective arch section 52a . 52b something. The floor sections 50a . 50b and / or the bow sections 52a . 52b preferably have a wall thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm, in this example 1.25 mm. The thigh 48a . 48b indicate at their the bow sections 52a . 52b axially opposite ends, preferably a wall thickness of 2 mm to 3 mm, in this example 2.25 mm. The trough bottoms 26a . 26b preferably have a wall thickness of 2 mm to 3 mm, in this example 2.25 mm. The stiffening ribs 32 rejuvenate from the front wall 12 in the direction of the lens, preferably from about 4 mm to about 2 mm.

The arcuate detents 40a . 40b extend in a flat continuation of the respective trough bottom 26a . 26b in the radial direction outwards and jump out of the centering ring 30 by about 1-2 mm radially outward. The extent of the arcuate detents 40a . 40b along the circumference of the protective cover 10 (Sector angle) corresponds approximately to the sector angle of the clamping pieces 18a . 18b what a good hold of the protective cover 10 on the lens housing 60 provides. In the area of the recessed grips 16a . 16b forms the centering ring 30 as it were the radially outer boundary of the recessed grips 16a . 16b ,

The ring edge 14 forms the radially outer edge of the protective cover 10 and extends to the front 10a from the centering ring 30 radially outwards, so that the centering ring 30 and the rim of the ring 14 form a substantially L-shaped cross-section. In the attached normal state N comes the back 14b of the ring edge 14 at the forefront 60a of the lens housing 60 to the plant, while the outside 30a the centering ring on the inner circumference of the front end of the objective or eyepiece comes to rest, while the arcuate locking lugs 40a . 40b stuck in the undercut 62 engage the inner circumference of the front end of the lens or Okulargehäuses.

It can be seen that the protective cover 10 due to its elastic material properties with the back 14b of the ring edge 14 good sealing at the front 60a of the lens housing 60 is generally closed and otherwise substantially uniform. Especially as the ring edge 14 made of elastomeric material, a good sealing effect can be achieved. This achieves a number of advantages, including a good seal against dust and moisture, a good grip for use with the fingers in the recessed grips 16a . 16b , good adhesion of the locking lugs 40a . 40b on the lens or Okulargehäuse and a low noise when touching the protective cover 10 and in the operation of the clamping pieces 18a . 18b ,

The principle of the protective cover 10 corresponds to the handling of known lens caps with inner handle, but the classic Spiralfederbeaufschlagung and the mechanics through the elastic wall sections 22a . 22b are replaced. By bending the elastic wall sections 22a . 22b become the catch noses 40a . 40b pushed radially inward and solve the clamping or the positive connection of the protective cover 10 eg in Lens thread. The stiffening ribs 32 or the honeycomb structure in the interior 24 the front wall 12 make sure that on the clamping piece 18a . 18b exerted, radially inwardly directed force F on the elastic wall sections 22a . 22b acts and the protective cap 10 otherwise remains largely stable.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments are to be read by way of example, and that the invention is not limited to them, but that they can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the features, independently as they are disclosed in the specification, claims, figures, or otherwise, also individually define essential components of the invention, even if described together with other features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

6

intersection

9

neckline

10

protective cover

10a

 Front of the protective cover

10b

 Back of the protective cover

12

bulkhead

14

outer ring edge

14b

 Back of the outer ring edge

15a

 first handle

15b

 second handle

16a

 first recessed grip

16b

 second recessed grip

18a

 first clamping piece

18b

 second clamping piece

20

Center of the protective cover

22a

 first elastic wall section

22b

 second elastic wall section

24

Interior of the front wall

26a

 first trough bottom

26b

 second trough bottom

28a

 first finger pressure wall

28b

 second finger pressure wall

30

Zentrierkranz

30a

 Outside of the centering ring

32

stiffening ribs

34

extreme edge of the protective cover

38a

 Rear side of the first clamping piece

38b

 Rear side of the second clamping piece

40a

 first arcuate catch nose

40b

 second arcuate detent

42a

 Bead of the first finger pressure wall

42b

 Bead of the second finger pressure wall

48a

 Leg of the first elastic wall portion

48b

 Leg of the second elastic wall portion

50a

 Bottom portion of the first elastic wall portion

50b

 Bottom portion of the second elastic wall portion

52a

 Arc portion of the first elastic wall portion

52b

 Arc portion of the second elastic wall portion

54a

 Groove of the first clamping piece

54b

 Groove of the second clamping piece

60

lens housing

60a

 Foremost front side of the lens housing

62

Freeway

F

Direction of the application of force

N

relaxed normal state / clamping state

S

strained state / dissolved state

α

Sector angle of the arcuate detents

β

Sector angle of the clamping pieces

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• EP 2163947 B1 [0005, 0022]

Claims (15)

Protective cover ( 10 ) for releasable attachment to a front end of a lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) of an optical device to cover the lens or eyepiece when not in use, comprising: an end wall ( 12 ) for covering the outer optical elements of the objective or eyepiece and a Zentrierkranz ( 30 ) for radial centering of the protective cover ( 10 ) at the front end of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ), a first clamping piece ( 18a ), which is biased radially outwards, wherein the first clamping piece ( 18a ) on the side facing away from the objective or eyepiece of the end wall ( 12 ) a first handle ( 15a ), wherein the first clamping piece ( 18a ) via a first elastic wall section ( 22a ) in one piece with the end wall ( 12 ), and wherein the first handle ( 15a ) for manual radial movement of the first clamping piece ( 18a ) under elastic deformation of the first elastic wall portion ( 22a ) is formed to the protective cover ( 10 ) on the one hand when placed on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by releasing the first handle ( 15a ) by means of the outwardly biased first clamping piece ( 18a ) clamped on an inner edge of the front end of the objective or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) and on the other hand, the clamping of the first clamping piece on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by manual operation of the first handle ( 15a ) to release again against the bias and the protective cover ( 10 ) of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) to decrease. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to claim 1, further comprising a first clamping piece ( 18a ) radially opposite second clamping piece ( 18b ), which opposite to the first clamping piece ( 18a ) is biased radially outwards, wherein the second clamping piece ( 18b ) on the side facing away from the objective or eyepiece of the end wall ( 12 ) a first handle ( 15a ) radially opposite second handle ( 15b ), wherein the second clamping piece ( 18b ) via a second elastic wall section ( 22b ) in one piece with the end wall ( 12 ), and wherein the first and second handle pieces ( 15a . 15b ) for manual radial compression under elastic deformation of the first and second elastic wall portions ( 22a . 22b ) are formed to the protective cover ( 10 ) on the one hand when placed on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by releasing the first and second handle ( 15a . 15b ) by means of the outwardly biased first and second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) clamping at opposite points of the inner edge of the front end of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) and on the other hand, the clamping of the first and second clamping piece on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by radially compressing the first and second handle pieces ( 15a . 15b ) by means of two fingers against the respective bias again and the protective cover ( 10 ) of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) to decrease. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end wall ( 12 ), the centering ring ( 30 ), the first and / or second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) and / or the first and / or second elastic wall section ( 22a . 22b ) are made in one piece from an elastic material. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end wall ( 12 ), the centering ring ( 30 ), the first and / or second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) and / or the first and / or second elastic wall section ( 22a . 22b ) are made of an elastomer. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hardness of the protective cover material in a central inner area ( 24 ) of the front wall ( 12 ) is set greater than the hardness of the protective cover material in the first and / or second elastic wall section (FIG. 22a . 22b ). Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) on its radial outer side in each case a radially projecting latching lug (US Pat. 30a . 30b ) which positively in a complementary groove in the inner edge of the front end of the lens or Okulargehäuses ( 60 ) engages when the protective cover ( 10 ) on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) is attached. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second handle ( 15a . 15b ) a first and second recessed grip in a peripheral region of the end wall ( 12 ). Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end wall ( 12 ) with stiffening ribs ( 32 ) is reinforced to the end wall ( 12 ), the stiffening ribs ( 32 ) in particular form a three-dimensional structure, for example a honeycomb structure. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the first and / or second recessed grip ( 16a . 16b ) each having a parallel to the end wall extending trough bottom ( 26a . 26b ) and one each the recessed grip ( 16a . 16b ) radially inwards delimiting and axially extending from the well bottom and away from the lens or eyepiece finger pressure wall ( 28a . 28b ), wherein in each case between the finger pressure wall ( 28a . 28b ) and the associated elastic wall section ( 22a . 22b ) a groove ( 54a . 54b ), which upon radial compression of the first and / or second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) is compressed. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second elastic wall portion ( 22a . 22b ) is formed in cross-section L-shaped. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the finger pressure wall ( 28a . 28b ) and / or the groove ( 54a . 54b ) in a plane parallel to the end wall ( 12 ) are arc-shaped and the curvature of the arc opposite to the outer periphery of the protective cover ( 10 ) runs. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the end wall ( 12 ) an outer in a plane parallel to the end wall ( 12 ) extending ring edge ( 14 ), which at least partially radially outside of the centering ring ( 30 ) and wherein the arcuate groove ( 54a . 54b ) from the outer ring edge ( 14 ) is limited. Protective cover ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end wall ( 12 ) an outer in a plane parallel to the end wall ( 12 ) extending ring edge ( 14 ), which the radial outer boundary of the protective cover ( 10 ) and wherein the protective cover ( 10 ) the front end of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) does not surround on the outer circumference. Protective cover ( 10 ) for releasable attachment to an end-side annular end of a lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) of an optical device to cover the lens or eyepiece when not in use, comprising: a substantially flat end wall ( 12 ) for covering the outer optical elements of the objective or eyepiece and a peripheral side of the end wall facing the objective lens or eyepiece (US Pat. 12 ) projecting centering ring ( 30 ) for engaging in the inner region of the front end of the objective or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) to the protective cover ( 10 ) at the front end of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) radially center, a first and second radial clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) which are radially outwardly biased outwardly, wherein the first and second clamping pieces ( 18a . 18b ) on the side facing away from the objective or eyepiece of the end wall ( 12 ) a first and second recessed grip ( 26a . 26b ), wherein the first and second clamping pieces ( 18a . 18b ) over a first and second elastomeric wall portion ( 22a . 22b ), which acts as an integral elastomeric leaf spring, integrally elastic with the end wall ( 12 ), and wherein the first and second recessed grip ( 26a . 26b ) for manual radial compression under elastic deformation of the first and second elastomeric wall sections ( 22a . 22b ) are formed to the protective cover ( 10 ) on the one hand when placed on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by releasing the first and second recessed grip ( 26a . 26b ) by means of the outwardly biased first and second clamping piece ( 18a . 18b ) clamping at opposite points of the inner edge of the front end of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) and on the other hand, the clamping of the first and second clamping piece on the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) by radially compressing the first and second recessed grip ( 26a . 26b ) by means of two fingers against the respective bias again and the protective cover ( 10 ) of the lens or eyepiece housing ( 60 ) to decrease. Optical device with at least one objective and / or eyepiece, wherein a protective cover (in each case on the objective and / or the eyepiece) 10 ) is releasably secured according to one of the preceding claims and the outer optical elements of the lens and / or eyepiece are covered for protection.

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